Springs

[TUBAMUSICIAN87]

I was in the practice room the other day working through a fast passage and felt my valves on my 1291CC were a little more heavy than they could be. I was thinking that maybe new springs that were a little bit lighter(not meaning wieght wise) would help my valves move a little bit faster. And for those who wonder about other aspects of this problem just so you know I oil my valves regurlarly with blue juice and keep it in good maintence. Would anyone recomend using springs that cushioned(for lack of a better word) with less force?

[TUBAMUSICIAN87]

Well its not that there slower than usuall I just whant them to move a little bit faster than they are

[Dan Schultz]

It's a little difficult to figure out exactly what you are asking. If you replace your existing springs that you think aren't fast enough with lighter springs, it's not likely your piston speed will increase. It might be a little easier to push your pistons down, but they aren't going to return as fast with a lighter spring. Stick with the springs you have and give your horn a good flush. Use lighter valve oil and see if the piston performance improves.

[Ace]

I've had my Miraphone 1291 CC for a few months and am using the original springs. The stock springs are strong. The pistons are very fast, but the finger effort to depress them is a bit more than I prefer. I got my horn from WW&BW, and Roger Lewis provided a spare set of springs which require less effort to depress. Next time I clean the pistons and cylinders, I'll install the spare springs.

BTW, the 1291 is a terrific tuba. (Put a coin slot on it and it will play itself.)

[Donn]

I vaguely recall people talking about swapping their springs out for baritone springs, for this reason. That isn't advice - you'd be crazy to listen to me - but if you do what you have in mind to see for yourself, what's the worst that could happen?